Utilise financial opportunities: Bakani

BANK of Papua New Guinea Governor Loi Bakani has urged Western Highlanders to make use of opportunities made available by financial institutions.
Bakani challenged a large gathering at the financial inclusion exposition 2016 staged by BPNG at the Queens Park Oval during the weekend, not to waste the opportunity while financial institutions were at their doorstep.
“I am pleased to say that since the launching of the national financial inclusion and financial literacy strategy in December 2013 some low income earners who have had a privilege to receive financial education, have access to financial services,” he said.
“They have become part of the formal financial system and have experienced positive changes to their livelihood.
This year marks the end of the chapter for the 2014-2015 national strategy for financial inclusion and financial literacy, and we are in the process of reviewing the strategy.”
Bakani said 80 per cent of the population live in the rural areas lack access to basic financial services.
He said Bank of Papua New Guinea in its their effort to cut down the 80 per cent  have brought financial services right to people’s doorstep.
“But today, in our effort to cut down the 80 per cent level, we are bringing all these financial institutions to your doorstep.”
Bakani thanked the Mt Hagen City Authority and provincial administration for allowing the bank to use Queens Park Oval to host the expo.